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From Bronx to Brazil: J.Lo to sing at World Cup

Mesfin Fekadu AP Music Writer

Updated:
06/11/2014 01:15:12 AM EDT

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FILE - In this Sunday, Feb. 13, 2011 file photo, Jennifer Lopez arrives at the 53rd annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. Jennifer Lopez said in an interview with The Associated Press that she is flying to Brazil on Tuesday June 10, 2014, to perform during the World Cup's opening ceremony on Thursday. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File)

NEW YORK (AP) — Not so fast: J.Lo is performing at the World Cup after all.

Jennifer Lopez said in an interview with The Associated Press that she is flying to Brazil on Tuesday night to perform during the tournament's opening ceremony on Thursday.

"I'm coming. I leave tonight. We always were going," she said. "I think people get anxious, especially with me and my schedule when I'm like, 'Ah, OK, I can leave this day, that day, I don't know if we can make it.'"

"People get nervous and I think it was a little bit premature to announce anything," she said. "But we are definitely going."

FIFA officials announced earlier this week that the singer wouldn't perform the official tune "We Are One (Ole Ola)" alongside Pitbull and Claudia Leitte. But Lopez said they will perform before Brazil takes on Croatia at Thursday's opening game in Sao Paulo.

Lopez said the World Cup song was orchestrated by Pitbull, who invited her to join on the track.

"I can't take credit for this. This was one of Pitbull's call-ins," said Lopez, who has collaborated with the rapper on the hits "On the Floor" and "Dance Again."

"He had this record and he's like, 'I think this record could be great for the World Cup," she recalled. "He's like, 'Will you do it with me?' And I go, 'Yeah, of course.'"

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Lopez added: "I'm so lucky that he gave me the opportunity."

The 44-year-old singer, who's from the Bronx, is also busy promoting her new album, "A.K.A.," to be released next week.